In this column, we deliver you the latest and most interesting online poker industry news from across the world and all platforms.
Natural8 – GGNet hosts $10M giveaway this February, Affiliate rake races removed
Leading online poker network, Natural8 – GGNet is once again bringing its $10,000,000 giveaway this month of February for all players old and new. The generous promotion is spread out across its selection of monthly promotions with thousands worth of cash prizes awarded on the daily. Loyal users can make their way through a series of leaderboards by racking up points in various games and by taking advantage of the site’s 1.5 point multiplier credited during Happy Hour from 06:00:00 ~ 07:59:59 (UTC -8).
Natural8 – GGNet Promotions
- GGCare & GGCheers Daily $100,000 Flipout
- Hold’em Daily $20,000 Leaderboard
- PLO Daily $20,000 Leaderboard
- Short Deck 6+ Daily $10,000 Leaderboard
- Spin & Gold Daily $20,000 Leaderboard
- All-in or Fold Daily $25,000 Leaderboard
- Rush & Cash Daily $25,000 Leaderboard
- Honeymoon for Newcomers
- Flip & Go Daily $5,000 Leaderboard
- GGDaily Freebie
- Battle Royale Daily $1,000 Leaderboard
While the seven-figure giveaway is a welcoming treat for its massive user base, the top online network most recently removed its affiliate rake races effective last February 1st. The decision comes with the platform’s shift in focus towards a recreational player model. Considering only a fraction of players are affected, its in-house promotions including the Fish Buffet will remain available in addition to its welcome bonuses, jackpots and daily leaderboards.
Pokerstars partners with Red Bull Racing
Another exciting racing collaboration has brewed up between the industry’s gaming giant, PokerStars and Red Bull Racing last month as it sets to start ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 season this coming March. The global partnership is known to run for a minimum period of two years according to the brand’s latest announcement and aims to “reach audiences who share similar passions and interests”.
Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO, Christian Horner said, “Following last year’s blockbuster Formula One season, I am delighted to kick off 2022 by announcing PokerStars as a new partner.”
“In our sport we see constant evolution, not only applied to the cars but also to new technologies that are focused on reaching the sport’s global fanbase to provide new and interactive experiences for them to enjoy. We are pleased to welcome PokerStars to the Team as F1 enjoys a period of growth in new and existing territories and look forward to getting the 2022 season underway together.”
On the other hand, Flutter International’s Chief Executive Officer, Dan Taylor additionally commented, “Red Bull Racing is an ideal fit for PokerStars because it’s not just about what you offer fans and players but the ethos and vision behind how you offer it. Part of our vision for PokerStars is to create the world’s most epic casino, built on player experiences, giving our community moments they’ll never forget. Red Bull Racing’s phenomenal success is built on their bold, innovative, and passionate ethos, which has led to incredible success both on the track and in becoming one of the world’s most popular sports brands. We’re looking forward to working with the Team and sharing further developments as the 2022 season approaches. We wish the Red Bull Racing team all the best for their new campaign.“
Partypoker exits Russia and Moldova; Joins NFT space with Theta Labs
Launched over two decades ago, users in unregulated markets of long-time Partypoker are one by one losing the option to play on the popular site. Following parent company Entain’s goal to completely service only regulated markets by next year, several countries have since ceased its gaming operations in certain jurisdictions. So far, the list includes Poland, Norway, Montenegro, Panama, and Venezuela among others, with the latest additions being Russia and Moldova.
The announcement takes effect this coming February 14, 2022 with its player base previously advised regarding the closure noting, “Regrettably, partypoker will soon stop operating in your country. Starting 14/02/2022, you will no longer be able to play, but you can still withdraw funds from the cashier.” With Entain’s aim of operating under full legalization, it will only be a matter of time until Partypoker exits more unregulated countries in the near future.
On the other hand, the established platform is also working on its debut NFT collection in partnership with Theta Labs, a leading decentralized video streaming platform powered by blockchain technology. The move is part of Entain’s ‘Ennovate Innovation Hub’ launch reporting a £100 million investment geared towards innovation projects with global partners.
The non-fungible token collection, created in hopes to bring “exciting moments to the poker community and making the partypoker experience even more engaging”, will feature the most iconic hands and moments in partypoker tournament history. ‘Pokerapes’, the brand’s own twist will likewise highlight full 3D artwork and unique traits all available on the partypoker marketplace.
“Partypoker has established a history across 20 years full of great hands and epic poker moments that have happened during our live and online events,” said partypoker Director Vadim Soloveychik in this week’s announcement.
“We are happy to give players the opportunity to own their very own piece of poker history in partnership with Theta. I am truly excited for partypoker to join the NFT space.”
Mitch Liu, Theta Labs CEO, added, “This is an exciting, new, global collaboration. For the first time, we are licensing our integrated white-label NFT platform to one of the world’s largest sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment groups, and we couldn’t ask for better partners in partypoker and Entain Group. Being integrated into the partypoker application enables an NFT user experience as exciting and seamless as possible to customers, powered by Theta Network, Theta edge nodes to support video NFTs and TFUEL for transactions.”
We are launching our own NFT marketplace with https://t.co/0XQr31BZvM featuring iconic hands and special PokerApes. Watch this space! https://t.co/IxlD9n928R @thetadrop pic.twitter.com/DRZB2RpG82
— partypoker (@partypoker) January 31, 2022
